Taib: Think social

by Georgette Tan,

HEALTHY MIND AND BODY: (From left) Hanifah, Taib and Chan joining senior citizens in a round of tai chi. — Photo by Mohammad Rais Sanusi

Local councils, architects advised to design new townships, neighbourhoods by giving social elements due attention

KUCHING: Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud wants local councils and architects to ‘think social’ when designing new townships and neighbourhoods in the state.

Officiating at MBKS Community Programme 2012, themed ‘My City, My Home’, at Tabuan Jaya Neighbourhood Park here yesterday, the chief minister said giving the social aspect due attention would ensure that the people get to enjoy a safe, friendly and healthy relationships in the future.

TUG OF WAR: Taib (second right), Ragad (right), Hanifah (fourth right) and Chan (third left) watching a tug-of-war challenge in progress. — Photo by Mohammad Rais Sanusi

It would also encourage the different communities to be more active and reshape their lifestyles into one that prioritises harmony over wealth.

“For instance, there are many pieces of land that can be developed into parks. It is better to

build things that benefit the community rather than leave it untended.”

Taib noted that young people were now moving away from traditional communities in favour of new housing estates. As such, a growing number of people have lost touch with social events that brings neighbourhood out to socialise.

LET ME HELP YOU: Taib (right) gets a little help from his daughter Hanifah with adjusting a cap.

“In new housing areas, people don’t know how to talk to their next door neighbours. You do that and people get suspicious.

“What we want to do in Sarawak is that in the midst of prosperity, let’s make an effort to have lesser little corners of loneliness and more circles of friends. This is the cornerstone of building a nation … to ensure our community is active as a member of the community, and not as an individual,” said Taib, who was accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib.

ENJOYING THE MOMENT: (From left) Chan, Taib, Hanifah, CATS FM general manager Iskandar Nawawi and Ragad stopping to visit the CATS FM booth.

On a related matter, he said the best people who would make good future leaders were active councillors who knew their neighbours very well.

“Local councils must meet the people and mobilise them to mix together,” he said. “That’s how we build a society, through building a community.”

He added that when people socialise through community events, those who are potential councillor material could be identified through recognising people who care about society and would work hard on activities that would promote a safer and friendlier society.

“More people who will be active instead of working with their fingers on their iPods or iPads,” he said, adding that people were “more than fingers and brains”.

“We need our bodies to work and we must exercise to make ourselves healthy. A healthier society doesn’t come in a lonely corner of our own mind. It comes when we go out.

“We would be left with a cynical democracy if people rely on lies and propaganda that emerge during election time instead of taking the opportunity to join neighbourhood activities to get to know those who make good leaders.”

Taib pointed out that politics is only 10 per cent of the society.

“The remaining 90 per cent is service to build our society so that our children and grandchildren will still be happy in the midst of prosperity, and not be rich people in corners of loneliness.”

INTERESTING: Fatimah watching the tai chi demonstration.

Also present at the launch were Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, event co-organising chairperson Datin Hanifah Hajar-Alsree Taib and MBKS mayor and event co-organising chairman James Chan.

In his speech, Chan said that the event was an example of MBKS working together with community associations, non-governmental organisations and Tabuan Jaya grass roots organisations in creating an active and vibrant living and working environment.

“The key to social cohesion is continuous interaction among the various groups in Kuching. Interaction will lead to bonds and emergence of social networks.”

Chan stressed that every resident in Kuching must be made to feel that they are part of a community.

“Therefore, I would like to applaud the efforts of all involved to continue this important work of building bridges across communities … to build social cohesion, strengthen our ties, and make a community out of different groups in Kuching.”

WARM WELCOME: A young lady in the welcoming group flashes a smile at the camera while waiting for the guests of honour to arrive.